Difference Between POV, POC, Prototype, and MVP

difference between poc vs pov vs mvp

POV (Point of View), POC (Proof of Concept), Prototype, and MVP (Minimum Viable Product) are four different concepts used in product development to bring a new product to market. While all four concepts are related, they serve different purposes and are used at different stages of the product development process.

Point of View (POV)

POV, or Point of View, is a research method used to understand the needs and desires of potential users. POV helps product teams empathize with users and understand their perspectives. In this research method, a user persona is created and used to understand their pain points and goals.

For example, suppose a product team wants to create a new meal delivery service. Using POV, the team could create a user persona for a busy professional who wants healthy, convenient meal options. The team could then use this persona to better understand the user’s needs and preferences.

Proof of Concept (POC)

A Proof of Concept (POC) is a demonstration that a product or technology is feasible and can be created to solve a specific problem. The purpose of a POC is to prove that an idea or concept is viable before investing more time and resources in development.

For example, if a product team wants to create a new smartwatch, they may develop a POC to demonstrate that the technology and features they plan to include in the final product are feasible.

Prototype

A prototype is a working model of a product or feature that is created to test and refine its design. Prototypes are used to get feedback from users, identify potential issues, and make improvements to the design.

For example, a product team creating a new website may create a prototype to test the user interface, navigation, and functionality of the site. The team could use feedback from users to refine the design and improve the user experience.

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is the minimum set of features that a product needs to have to be viable and meet the needs of its users. The purpose of an MVP is to launch a product quickly and get feedback from users, which can then be used to improve the product.

For example, a product team creating a new mobile app may launch an MVP with just a few key features to test the market and get feedback from users. The team could then use this feedback to improve the app and add more features over time.

Differences between POV vs POC vs Prototype and MVP

Aspect	POV	POC	Prototype	MVP
Definition	A demonstration that a solution can deliver value in a real-world scenario	A demonstration that a solution can be built to solve a specific problem	A functional and visual representation of a solution	A product with just enough features to meet the needs of early customers
Purpose	To demonstrate that a solution can provide value and to gain support from stakeholders	To validate that a solution can be built and to assess its feasibility	To test and refine the functionality and usability of a solution	To launch a product to early adopters and to get feedback for further development
Scope	Narrow and focused on specific user needs	Broad, but still focused on a specific problem	Narrow, focused on a specific aspect of the solution	Broader, with enough features to meet the needs of early adopters
Timeline	Short, usually completed in a few weeks	Short, usually completed in a few weeks to a few months	Short to medium term, usually completed in a few months	Short to medium term, usually completed in a few months
Resources	Minimal, usually completed with existing resources	Moderate, requires dedicated resources	Moderate to high, requires dedicated resources	Moderate to high, requires dedicated resources
Deliverables	A report or presentation that outlines the value of the solution	A working prototype that demonstrates feasibility	A functional and visual representation of the solution	A product with just enough features to meet the needs of early adopters
Risks	Low, as it is a non-functional demonstration of value	Moderate, as it is a functional demonstration of feasibility	Moderate, as it is a functional and visual representation of the solution	High, as it is a product launched to early adopters with the expectation of feedback for further development
Examples	A proof of value for a chatbot that improves customer service satisfaction	A proof of concept for a machine learning algorithm that recommends products based on customer data	A prototype for a new social media platform that allows for real-time group discussions	A minimum viable product for a meal delivery service that allows customers to order food online